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Ruf notches three RBIs in Phillies' loss

Lee yields just two runs, but bullpen struggles vs. Twins split squad

3/7/13: Darin Ruf hits a two-run double to the gap in right-center field to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead over the Twins in the second inning

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Aaron Hicks hit three home runs and a two-run single as the Twins erased a five-run deficit en route to a 10-6 win over the Phillies on Thursday afternoon at Bright House Field.

Hicks hit a leadoff homer off Cliff Lee in the first, a solo blast off Jeremy Horst in the fifth and then a two-run shot off Raul Valdes in the seventh. In the eighth, Hicks laced a two-run broken-bat single to center field.

Down a run in the eighth, the Twins batted around and scored five runs. Wilkin Ramirez tied things up when he scored on a wild pitch by Zach Miner, and then Danny Santana put the visitors up for good with an RBI single. Hicks followed with a two-run single and then eventually scored on Mark Sobolewski's error.

Philadelphia shortstop Freddy Galvis tripled and scored in the first inning to tie the game, and then the Phillies' offense erupted with four runs in the second.

Designated hitter Darin Ruf doubled to right-center field to score two runs in the second, and he also singled to score a run in the third inning to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

Lee would allow a solo homer to Dan Rohlfing in the fourth, but other than that, the left-hander was in complete control. He allowed four hits, fanned five and issued just one walk over 3 2/3 frames.

Up next: The Phillies take the two-hour drive south to play the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m. ET in Port Charlotte on Friday. After playing in all of Philadelphia's previous Grapefruit League games, Ryan Howard won't make the trip. Kyle Kendrick is will make the start, and Mike Adams, Mike Stutes and Aaron Cook also are scheduled to pitch.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.